BStrong auction raises more than $310,000

Papi's jersey fetches $37,400, with all proceeds going to One Fund Boston

By
Mark Newman
MLB.com

The "BOSTON" home jersey that David Ortiz wore while making his now-famous speech to open the first homestand after the Boston Marathon bombings went for $37,400 after 62 bid attempts, and an overall amount of $310,741 was raised in the Boston BStrong auction with all net proceeds going to One Fund Boston.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino announced the formation of One Fund Boston to help those most affected by the tragic events that occurred in that city on April 15.

The BStrong Auction, benefiting that fund, featured 40 game-used and autographed jerseys from that tribute game played against the Royals on April 20, plus two signed and used Jonny Gomes bats from that game. Gomes incidentally drew the largest number of bids on any single item -- 70 for his jersey. There were 1,617 total bids during the auction.

Big Papi's No. 34 jersey definitely will come with a story to tell. Maybe the new owner will have a speaker next to the framed jersey, playing his inspirational speech (verbatim) on a loop.

In addition to that one, seven other Boston jerseys from that day each had a closing price in five figures: Clay Buchholz ($16,100), Jon Lester ($14,100), Dustin Pedroia ($17,300), Gomes ($16,500), Shane Victorino ($12,600), Jacoby Ellsbury ($11,951) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia ($10,105).

Fans can go to onefundboston.org to donate further to help this effort. As of Friday night, more than $26 million had been raised for the fund.